Wallace Instruments

Williams P2 Parallel Plate Plastimeter

Features

Simple error free operation

Consistent results assured

Robust design

Easy to use

Measurements to 0.01mm

Latch allows samples to be safely inserted between plates

To find out more about this product 

Introduction

This apparatus is widely used in the silicone industry and is also used for determining the plasticity and recovery of uncompounded, compounded and reclaimed stocks of unvulcanised rubber. The test consists of compressing a cylindrical sample of specified volume between parallel plates and measuring the compressed height.

The Plastimeter consists of two parallel platens, the lower mounted on the base of the instrument. The upper platen is raised and lowered vertically by a handle.

When the upper platen is lowered, a force of 49 ± 0.O5N is applied to the sample. The upper platen can be locked in the raised position so that the sample can be easily loaded. A dial micrometer gauge reads the thickness of the test sample which is the Plasticity Number.

The sample is prepared from a sheet of unvulcanised rubber about 15 mm thick. When cut with the rotary cutter, the height should be adjusted until the volume is 2.00 ± 0.02 cc. If the density is known, the sample weight can be altered to obtain the correct weight and therefore, volume. Three samples should be prepared for each test. They are lightly dusted with talc and care should be taken to ensure that they are not appreciably deformed before testing.